Where have you gone, Jim Boeheim? Syracuse turns its struggling basketball eyes to you originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Even some of Jim Boeheim's harshest critics must be longing for the days of the 2-3 zone to return to Central New York.
The legendary Syracuse head basketball coach does some color commentary now, and his once-proud program is now a shell of its former self under Boeheim pupil Adrian Autry.
The Orange have lost four games in a row, and they're heading toward another miss of the NCAA Tournament, barring a miracle.
It brings to mind those famous words of Simon & Garfunkel -- Where have you gone, Joe Dimaggio? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Of course, Boeheim himself isn't coming back down the Carrier Dome tunnel with one of his Bruce Springsteen walk-out songs to save the Orange.
But man, Syracuse would sure love a return to the Glory Days -- Glory days, they'll pass you by, glory days.
Syracuse made the NCAA Tournament 35 times under Boeheim.
The Orange went to five Final Fours, three national championship games and won it all in 2003.
Those days feel like a distant memory.
Instead, these latest Syracuse teams feel like they have enough talent but not enough team.
There was something about the 2-3 zone, and the way that at its best it moved like one body connected via five parts. It forced camaraderie, teamwork and connectedness.
And when recent editions of the Orange play, those aren't always words that feel present.
There will never be another Boeheim. But there can still be winning basketball at Syracuse University.
Where will it come from, though? Maybe the same place that Boeheim has gone, wherever that might be.
MORE: Syracuse basketball hits rock bottom under Adrian Autry
